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March 24, 2026
下去()xiàqù(xia4qu4)
The phrase '下去' (xia4 qu4) means 'to go down' or 'to descend.' It can also indicate the continuation of an action or process, such as 'to go on' with something. In a more colloquial context, it can imply that someone should withdraw or step back, especially in a hierarchical situation.
Frequency#435DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of 'descending' can also relate to humility and respect, particularly in social hierarchies, where withdrawing or stepping back is sometimes necessary to show deference.
Memory Tip
Imagine a staircase that goes 'down' (下) into a deep cave, where you need to 'continue' (去) exploring. Picture yourself bravely stepping down the stairs, saying 'xia qu' as you descend. This visual reinforces both the meaning of going down and the phonetic sound.
Meanings of 下去
xiàqù(xia4qu4)
1to go down
2to descend
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About 下去
下去Simplified
Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 下去
Podcast: 下去
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AI Study Notes for 下去
Quick Contrast
下 (xià) vs 进去 (jìnqù): Use '下去' when emphasizing a downward movement or continuation, while '进去' focuses on entering a space.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a staircase that goes 'down' (下) into a deep cave, where you need to 'continue' (去) exploring. Picture yourself bravely stepping down the stairs, saying 'xia qu' as you descend. This visual reinforces both the meaning of going down and the phonetic sound.
Usage Notes
'下去' is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but learners should be cautious with its use in commands, as it can sound abrupt. Common collocations include '继续下去' (to continue) and '走下去' (to walk down). Pay attention to tone; mispronouncing either character can change the meaning completely.
HSK Study Tips
While '下去' may not be explicitly listed in HSK levels, it relates to verbs of motion and progression that are foundational in HSK 1-3. Students should focus on using it in sentences that express actions or the continuation of events to build fluency.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of 'descending' can also relate to humility and respect, particularly in social hierarchies, where withdrawing or stepping back is sometimes necessary to show deference.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '下去' with similar phrases. For example, saying '下去我家' (go down my house) is incorrect; it should be '回我家' (go back to my house). Additionally, using '下去' without the context of movement can lead to confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 下去
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Cultural Notes for 下去
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of 'descending' can also relate to humility and respect, particularly in social hierarchies, where withdrawing or stepping back is sometimes necessary to show deference.
Frequently Asked Questions about 下去
'下去' can be used to describe actions like '我想下去' (I want to go down) or '事情继续下去' (things will continue on).
No, '下去' can also be used metaphorically, such as '继续下去' (to continue on) in discussions or processes.
'下来' (xia2 lai2) means 'to come down,' while '下去' implies going down from the speaker's perspective.
